Weekend worker Smile Happy to either Florida Derby or Blue Grass

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A number of top 3-year-olds were out for serious work last weekend, led by Smile Happy, who went a half-mile in 49 seconds on Saturday at Gulfstream in his first work since a runner-up finish in the Risen Star on Feb. 19. Trainer Kenny McPeek is still choosing between the Florida Derby on April 2 or the Blue Grass on April 9 for the Runhappy colt’s next start.

Also, White Abarrio breezed a half-mile on Sunday in 47 seconds at Gulfstream in his second work since winning the Holy Bull on Feb. 5.

At Payson Park, Zandon breezed a half-mile on Saturday in 49.60 for Chad Brown, while Jack Christopher, still weeks away from his 2022 debut, had his second work on the comeback trail for Brown when going three furlongs Sunday in 37.80.

Cannon, Zayas almost ready

Jockey Declan Cannon intends to begin riding soon at Turfway Park in northern Kentucky as his rehabilitation from three fractured vertebrae nears an end. Cannon has been breezing horses at Palm Meadows for various Kentucky trainers for the last month or so after being injured in a September spill at Indiana Grand.

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“I had some dark days, but I’m okay now, thankfully,” Cannon, 34, said while attending the Gulfstream races Saturday.

Likewise, Edgard Zayas is nearing a return after being away since Dec. 12 to undergo surgery on his left shoulder. Zayas’s agent, Tito Fuentes, said opening day of the Gulfstream spring-summer meet on April 7 is the target.

Zayas, 28, was the leading jockey at both the spring-summer and fall meets at Gulfstream last year.

◗ Brown said Reinvestment Risk likely goes next in the Grade 1 Carter on April 9 at Aqueduct after earning a 103 Beyer Speed Figure in winning an allowance here Feb. 26.

◗ Rattle N Roll, sixth in the Fountain of Youth, runs next in the Louisiana Derby on March 26 at Fair Grounds, McPeek said Monday.